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Panthers vs. Chargers: Scott and Norv Turner are avoiding contact

Panthers assistant is son of Chargers coach Norv Turner

  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/13/23/05/4hHaN.Em.138.jpeg|230
    Jeff Gross - Getty
    San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner argues a call during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Qualcomm Stadium on December 2, 2012 in San Diego, California.
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/13/23/05/cEE2W.Em.138.jpeg|210
    Uncredited - ASSOCIATED PRESS
    This is a 2012 photo of Scott Turner of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Wednesday, May 9, 2012 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

More Information

  • Scott Says: Can the Panthers win Sunday?
  • Cam Newton puts sophomore slump behind him
  • Ron Rivera's personally enforcing curfew
  • Green Jr.'s picks
  • Panthers-Chargers Connections

    Panthers FB Mike Tolbert: played 4 seasons in San Diego

    Panthers FB/TE Richie Brockel: signed as undrafted free agent with San Diego in 2010

    Panthers DE Antwan Applewhite: played with Chargers from 2008-10

    Panthers coach Ron Rivera: spent four years on San Diego staff, the last 2 as def. coordinator

    Panthers off. coordinator Rob Chudzinski: had two coaching stints with Chargers

    Panthers off. quality control coach Scott Turner: son of Chargers coach Norv Turner

    Panthers secondary coach Steve Wilks: held same post with San Diego from 2009-11

    Chargers TE Dante Rosario: played for Panthers from 2007-10

    Chargers WR Seyi Ajirotutu: with Panthers last season and in training camp this year

    Chargers secondary coach Ron Meeks: Panthers’ def. coordinator 2009-10; secondary coach last season



Scott Turner usually talks to his dad once a day. The phone conversations are often about football, but not exclusively.

But this week there’s been no talk at all.

Turner, the Panthers’ offensive quality control coach, is the son of San Diego coach Norv Turner, whose Chargers host Carolina on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.

There are several connections among players and coaches from both teams. Panthers coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski were on Turner’s staff before coming to Charlotte last year.

But none of those ties is as close as the Turners’.

“I’m glad we’re going out there,” Scott said Thursday after the Panthers’ practice. “I can see my family a little bit. It’ll be fun to see my dad before the game.”

Scott talked to his father last weekend to congratulate him on the Chargers’ win against Pittsburgh. Norv had similar praise for the Panthers’ victory against Atlanta.

But in the five days since, they have maintained a code of silence.

“I talked to him Sunday night, just congratulating him. They had a big win against Pittsburgh. And he was fired up for us beating Atlanta,” Scott said. “We talked about it and then said, see you Sunday.”

Scott, 30, has never worked with his dad. After lettering three years as a backup quarterback at UNLV, Scott was a high school coach in Virginia and a college coach at Oregon State and Pittsburgh before joining Rivera in Charlotte in 2011.

Rivera and Chudzinski have enough background with the Chargers that no one on with Panthers’ has pumped Scott too much for information this week.

“We have similar systems as far as terminology goes. You can see on film some routes and stuff like that,” Scott said. “But it’s not like I’m inside of his head. I know his general philosophies and stuff like that, just from having watched him.”

Scott and his wife, Robyn, plan to go to dinner Friday night in San Diego with his brother, Drew, a senior at the University of San Diego, and his sister, Stephanie, an actress who appeared in the Jennifer Lopez movie, “Monster-in-Law.”

He expects to see his dad Saturday afternoon after the teams’ walkthroughs. On Sunday, Scott will take his usual place next to Chudzinski in the coaches’ box.

Norv said he’s glad his son is getting to work with coaches he respects.

“What you want to have an opportunity to do as a young coach is be around guys who understand how to coach, understand the league. They get it,” Norv said. “Scott was lucky that he played at UNLV for (former Southern Cal and L.A. Rams coach) John Robinson and they have an awfully good staff there. ... And now, the chance to work with Ron and work directly with Chud and that offensive staff.”

As was the case the last few years, Norv has come under fire this season. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported last week that he and Chargers general manager A.J. Smith would be fired at the end of the season.

“It’s part of the business. There’s going to be critics, and that’s just part of it,” Scott said.

Rivera also is dealing with questions about his future. Rivera said this week the Panthers’ season has mirrored the Chargers’, with a number of close losses and unrealized expectations.

“We’ve gone through some tough stuff here, and there’s been a lot of resiliency on this team. They’ve got the same situation there,” Scott said. “They’ve done it a lot of years where guys have been on him, and you’ve never seen that team waver as far as how hard they’re playing.”

Scott looks forward to seeing his parents and the rest of his family this weekend. But the lead-up to the game has been a challenge.

“It’s exciting. You get a little anxious, too, going into this week,” Scott said. “I’ll be glad when it’s over and we’ve got a win.”

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